Colbrunn, 43, played 12 seasons in the majors, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series title in 2001. He has spent the last six seasons with the Yankees as a minor league coach and manager.

“This was a very astute hire,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “Greg is more than qualified for that job and in our estimation no better hitting candidate in the marketplace than him. We were lucky to have him for as long as we did.”

Colbrunn was the hitting coach for Single-A Charleston from 2007-09 and 2011-12. He managed the team in 2010.

“Greg’s success as a hitting coach and his experiences as a Major League player make him a strong addition to the Red Sox coaching staff,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

Selected by Montreal in the sixth round of the 1987 draft out of Fontana (Calif.) High School as a catcher, Colbrunn hit .289 with 155 doubles, 12 triples, 98 home runs, 422 RBIs, 337 runs, 170 walks and 29 stolen bases over 992 career big league games with the Expos (1992-93), Marlins (1994-96), Twins (1997), Braves (1997-98), Rockies (1998), Diamondbacks (1999-2002, ’04) and Mariners (2003) while appearing primarily at first base.

His .310 average and .476 slugging percentage as a pinch-hitter are both the second-best career marks among players with at least 250 plate appearances in the pinch since 1974.

Colbrunn played in 21 career postseason games and compiled a .344 average (11 for 32).